Top pitching prospect Brad Lincoln continues to show that he ready for a promotion to the big leagues.
Lincoln pitched 6 shutout innings Thursday night against Gwinnett surrendering 4 hits, a walk and added 6 strikeouts. Lincoln improved to 6-2 on the season and lowered his ERA to 3.16 as Indianapolis defeated Gwinnett 4-0.
Lincoln left after 6 innings (82 pitches) with a 4-0 lead and in Lincoln’s (11IP 0R 5H 2BB 13K) last two starts, he has posted 11 shutout innings and 13 strikeouts.
The Pirates rotation is set for a weekend series against the San Francisco Giants (Duke, Maholm, Ohlendorf) but their rotation is TBA for Monday afternoon and Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals.
After pitching tonight, Lincoln would be in line to pitch Tuesday night in what will be Stephen Strasburg’s highly anticipated MLB debut.
The Pirates though have absolutely no plans to callup Lincoln and take mound Tuesday night against Strasburg.
Jeff Karstens or Dana Eveland are expected to go up against Strasburg.
Brian Burres is believed to be the odd-man out in the rotation as Eveland will join the team on Friday.